Tampa Bay Downs: Allen boots home four winners in a row

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Jockey Ronnie Allen Jr. won four straight races on Thursday’s Tampa Bay Downs program to edge closer to leading rider Fernando De La Cruz for the top spot in the jockey standings.

Allen began his streak in the second race when he piloted Joe Tess ($8.60) to victory in a maiden special weight sprint at seven furlongs on the main track, then came back in the third on Philfig ($4.80), who outgamed Dreamboat Charlie.

Allen made it three in a row when he guided Black Belt ($6.40) to a win over favored King Rock, then notched win No. 4 in the fifth aboard favorered Marsden ($3) in a maiden-claiming route on the turf.

Allen has 14 wins at the meeting through Thursday, while De La Cruz has 22.